CV Drive Axle Question

kayakwesty · Post by **kayakwesty** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:34 am

Do I tighten the axle nut down, with car on the ground with a load on the wheel bearing or do I tighten the axle nut with the car in the air with no load on the axle nut

beforehand thank you for your help I only want to do this once

(it is for my 1991 Jetta)

3Bunnys · Post by **3Bunnys** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:49 am

I tighten mine on the ground.....
My preferred method is to have a helper stand on the brakes to prevent wheel rotation, breaker bar and cheater!!!!!! I use the "Brake Assistant" (any pretty blonde will do) since you place a lot of strain on drivetrain if you put trans/engine in gear to prevent wheel rotation,,,, and usually even in gear you'll end up rotating engine.....
Good chock behind wheel would probably work also,,, but I prefer the pretty blonde technique!!!
Richard

kayakwesty · Post by **kayakwesty** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:55 am

Did you use a torque wrench?

and thanks for the fast response!!!!

3Bunnys · Post by **3Bunnys** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 8:04 am

NO torque wrench....breaker bar and about 3' of pipe so that I can stand and bounce on it with 160 pound body.....
Pretty primitive...but it has always worked..... This is a big nut/thread so I don't worry about breakin it... I actually worry more about busting my 1/2" drive socket and breaker bar!!!!
Richard
PS.... Ideal weight for blonde helper, if she is 5'-6", would be about 110lbs (IMHO)

libbybapa · Post by **libbybapa** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:25 am

I've always heard (and read) that you should never have vehicle weight on the bearings at any time that the axle nut is loose or loosened. I do mine in the air. The brakes can still keep the wheel from turning. For loosening I use an impact wrench. For tightening I use a breaker bar oriented horizontally and stand on it the appropriate distance away from the fulcrum so that my weight achieves the proper torque. Use simple math to figure out the proper distance. I use a Craftsman breaker bar in order to eliminate any concern about breaking it (if it breaks it gets replaced). It's their 3/4" drive bar. I got it some 6 or 7 years ago for about $40 if memory serves. Certainly money well spent. I've put it through the wringer.

Andrew

kayakwesty · Post by **kayakwesty** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:28 am

well I'm bad at math..I weigh 190 so how long of a cheater bar do I need?

lyeinyoureye · Post by **lyeinyoureye** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 2:47 pm

vortex says factory spec is 173ft*lbs, so in your case ~.91 feet from the nut. However, I've always heard that more is better, so just hop up and down on the end of the breaker and you should be golden.

kayakwesty · Post by **kayakwesty** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:25 pm

you do man!!!!!

hagar · Post by **hagar** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:42 pm

hagar had just got his Rabbit # 1 ----coming home from Midas Muffler the front left big nut came loose -----I limped home with wheel wobbling all over the place.

All that is needed to hold bearing together is 150 foot lbs I use my Craftsman bending beam wrench -----perfect ---BUT --I now double Nut all my shafts.

I save all old nuts --put them in the blasting machine --a tumbler would do then soak them in Aircraft Zinc Chromate primer --Green # 800. Randolpf.

hagar.

PS : I use a Blondi in a miniskirt to hold brakes. (in reality it was BIG Fat Lars)

hagar · Post by **hagar** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:09 pm

OH --- eh hagar forgot to tell you all that Andrew in Flagstaff AZ is right on the money.
NEVER LOOSEN NUT WITH WHEEL on the ground.-----unless you intend to replace bearing.
Likewise with TIGHTENING ----see ? Now we have to help that Blondi way up there ----hagar is sneaky -EH ? --HE is right it is VERY important----that is no cheap bearing.

hagar.

PS : if you are a nervous Nelly then use RED Locktite on outer nut.

82vdub · Post by **82vdub** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:58 pm

Hagar - please do tell why loosening and tightening the axle nut while the wheel is on the ground will damage the wheel bearings.

JRM · Post by **JRM** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:09 am

the hub can come loose, then when you tighten the nut its trying to pull the hub over the berring at an angel- thus it "can" damage the rollers and cage.
I made this mistake on my travel trailer, then during the next repack the berrings were all busted up and bounced across the shop floor

Post by **Fatmobile** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:30 am

Yep, I snug them down good while they are in the air.
Either someone steps on the brake or I put a couple lugs in and brace a crowbar between them and the ground,... to keep it from turning.
I finish tightening them after it's on the ground with the wheels on.
I never thought to double-nut them hagar... I almost always reuse the nuts and put some green locktite on when I'm done.
I'm supposed to use new ones so doublenutting could help keep me out of trouble.

82vdub · Post by **82vdub** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:18 am

Ok, I understand now. I have never completely tightened them up while in the air nor have I loosened them while in the air. Before I lift the car, I loosen the nut then either remove it or raise the car then remove it. When assembling, I always snug the nut as best I can while in the air, then when it's on the ground, tighten the rest of the way. I have never had a front wheel bearing issue doing it this way.

hagar · Post by **hagar** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 11:13 am

Yes 82vdub
Rabbit front wheel bearing's---- ( I hate them ) --ONLY a good old Amerikan Tapered Roller will do for hagar --I have a copy of Timpken's original Patent. right here, 1800 something.
But I will detail the encounter of hagar and and those disgusting bearing's in hagar's SAGA.

hagar.

Former VWDieselParts.com Forum

CV Drive Axle Question

CV Drive Axle Question

Big Nuts on drive shaft.

Them BIG nuts.

CV axle NUT.